Moments thereafter, both departed the Captain-Commander's quarters.
Byakuya Kuchiki guided Shigure to the Senkaimon within the First Division barracks.
From their recent discourse with Yamamoto Genryusai, Shigure could discern the Captain-Commander's profound displeasure regarding Rukia Kuchiki's transgression.
Presumably, even without Central 46's directive, Yamamoto Genryusai would have ordered her apprehension.
The First Division's Senkaimon chamber remained under direct supervision of the Fifth Seat officer.
Upon observing Byakuya Kuchiki and his companion's approach, he posed no inquiries whatsoever, immediately granting them passage.
Throughout Soul Society, anyone familiar with Byakuya Kuchiki's reputation understood his sacred devotion to regulations—treating "rules" with reverence equal to life itself.
He would never engage in inappropriate conduct.
His presence here certainly indicated prior authorization from the Captain-Commander.
"Captain Kuchiki, Lieutenant Segawa, please proceed."
The Fifth Seat officer spoke with respectful inclination.
Upon their entry, Shigure immediately beheld the massive gateway ahead.
This structure existed on an entirely different scale from Shinō Academy's gate—more than double its dimensions.
Byakuya Kuchiki raised his hand with fluid grace, sweeping across the gateway which immediately parted.
Brilliant white radiance emerged from within, illuminating the entire chamber.
Byakuya Kuchiki stepped forward without hesitation, his silhouette instantly vanishing into the luminous void.
Shigure followed with composed determination.
Having navigated the Dangai previously, this passage presented no complications.
Traversing the dimensional corridor, both proceeded in sequential silence.
Given Byakuya Kuchiki's reserved nature, conversation with the unfamiliar Shigure remained unlikely.
Shigure, meanwhile, contemplated the World of the Living's circumstances.
"Swoosh!"
The Senkaimon passage reached its terminus, radiance gradually diminishing.
The Hell Butterfly ahead fluttered gracefully, slowly transforming into obsidian spirit particles that dissipated into nothingness.
Subsequently, the gateway opened bilaterally, revealing the external landscape.
The World of the Living—Karakura Town.
Night had descended, the sky presenting transparent obsidian depths while distant neon illumination flickered intermittently.
Emerging, both concentrated spirit particles beneath their feet, maintaining aerial suspension.
Byakuya Kuchiki eschewed delay, speaking with characteristic indifference:
"Given the Department of Research and Development's established markers, we shall commence separate reconnaissance."
Upon this declaration, he vanished from his position via Shunpo.
Frigid winds swept past, elevating Shigure's obsidian locks.
He remained stationary, closing his eyes while activating his Resonance Eyes.
Instantaneously, his resonance perception expanded to encompass nearly one spirit mile's radius—an enormous surveillance range.
The "markers" Byakuya Kuchiki had referenced possessed no precedent in the original manga narrative.
This represented Aizen's clandestine maneuvering, quietly accelerating his stratagem's implementation.
He had deliberately exposed Rukia's whereabouts to the Department of Research and Development through calculated revelation.
Subsequently, through the Department's soul tracking capabilities, apprehension forces could rapidly locate their target.
These developments confirmed that while Aizen's fundamental plan remained unchanged, subtle modifications had indeed occurred.
Accelerated timeline implementation, for instance.
Personnel alterations within the arrest contingent represented another variation.
Through these observations, Shigure comprehended that despite advance knowledge of events' trajectory, constant vigilance remained essential.
Moments later, confirming Rukia's absence within his surveillance perimeter, he employed Shunpo to relocate, continuing extensive resonance-based reconnaissance.
...
Simultaneously, upon a deserted street, Rukia Kuchiki walked in solitude.
She maintained downward gaze, lips pressed together anxiously.
"I truly have remained here excessively long..."
When the Department of Research and Development established her soul marker, she naturally perceived the intrusion.
Consequently, she understood Soul Society's imminent arrival.
To prevent Ichigo's endangerment, she departed following a written farewell—unannounced withdrawal.
However, traversing the vacant thoroughfare, her heart suddenly overflowed with reluctance.
"Where precisely... constitutes my genuine sanctuary..."
She murmured with absent contemplation.
Suddenly, a subtle "tap" resonated behind her position.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
Soul Reaper spiritual pressure!
Had they arrived already...?!
She pivoted rapidly, directing her gaze toward the sound's origin.
Beneath moonlight's illumination, a Soul Reaper garbed in obsidian shihakushō stood positioned atop a streetlamp.
Upon perceiving his countenance, Rukia experienced faint familiarity yet couldn't establish recollection.
However, upon clearly observing his left arm's insignia, her respiration ceased entirely.
The displayed rank was actually...
Thirteenth Division... Lieutenant?!
Identical to the late Kaien-sama's position!
Rukia remained completely stupefied. She suddenly recalled a previous brief encounter with this individual.
That constituted their sole interaction—she remained certain of their mutual unfamiliarity.
Yet how was this conceivable...
How had a complete stranger achieved Thirteenth Division lieutenant status during her World of the Living residence?!
Observing her expression, Shigure smiled while speaking gently:
"It has been considerable time, Rukia Kuchiki."
Upon hearing his address, Rukia responded almost instinctively:
"Are you... the newly appointed lieutenant..."
Shigure nodded gracefully, maintaining his smile:
"The day following your spiritual pressure's disappearance from the World of the Living, I received lieutenant appointment."
"Therefore, permit my introduction. My name is..."
"Shigure Segawa."
Thump!
As Shigure's composed words concluded, Rukia felt her heart skip violently, complete stupefaction overwhelming her.
Her consciousness became entirely vacant.
This name... she undoubtedly remembered!
Initial exposure occurred during conversation with Jūshirō Ukitake.
At that time, intelligence arrived regarding Shigure Segawa's victory over Momo Hinamori and subsequent Fifth Division lieutenant elevation. Ukitake informed her that Shigure Segawa possessed genius capabilities surpassing even Tenth Division CaptainTōshirō Hitsugaya.
The subsequent day witnessed the Fifth Division member fatality incident.
That afternoon, she had passed him within the Thirteenth Division corridor.
Now... this marked her initial connection between name and countenance!
Suddenly, familiar powerful spiritual pressure descended, manifesting directly behind her position.
She turned swiftly to observe.
Upon clearly recognizing this familiar visage, her pupils contracted with violent intensity.
"Byakuya... nii-sama...?!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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